Step 2) Add a piece of patterned paper on the inside (in the area that shows)

Step 3) Close the card & tie with a ribbon (I stuck a little double-sided tape inside under each gatefold flap to keep it nice & flat)

Step 4) Print Ho Ho Ho sentiment & make mat

A) Print ledger paper on a sheet of cardstockB)Paint over ledger paper with an acrylic paint wash (white paint & a little water.) Sand the painted paper a little to make the embossing stick.C)Dry it well (under a book, if needed to reduce curl)D)Print & heat emboss the images (clear embossing powder over wet ink jet printer ink)

To make a coordinating custom Copic coloured cardstock (like the green-coloured mat above) just colour the acrylic painted paper with New Leaf Copic marker. The paint lets you blend it with your finger while it's wet or a colourless blender or stippling the brush strokes for a textured look, if you like.

I know I ramble on about embossing digis constantly, but it's SOoooooh cool & I enjoy it so much that I can't help but share it again in case you've missed other posts where I blather on about it. ;0). Just heat emboss quickly after printing the way you would with stamped ink.

Colouring on painted paper with Copics is WAY easier than the traditional copic method on more absorbent paper. You can get similar effects by painting with gesso, gel medium, digital grounds, etc...

The paint makes colouring very quick, since you can get fun brush strokes without using a colourless blender to bleach it out. It also lets you erase mistakes. You do need Copics (or other alcohol-based markers) since the paint is waterproof, but you could get similar digital embossing and effects by using gesso instead and experimenting with whatever markers you have--S.U. markers need embossing, but that's a neat effect in itself.)

ok, back to the card.... ;o)

C) Punch the quails out with a circle punch 1 1/4 inchD) Mat with another circle (made from the coloured Copic paper & punched with a 1 3/8" circle punchE) Stitch with red thread.

So cute, Mel. The idea to make a faux gatefold is so neat, since there's no need to untie a perfect bow to open it. Thanks for taking the time to explain all the steps in detail. Your directions are always so clear and easy to follow.